His and Her coats of arms for a baronet and his Lady

By Robert Hardman

SIR Denis and Lady Thatcher have unveiled a rare heraldic achievement, a
set of "His 'n' Hers" coats of arms for a baronet husband and a baroness
wife. As in life, so in heraldry. While Lady Thatcher's arms stand out
as a bold testament to a great career and carry the command "Cherish
Freedom", Sir Denis has opted for an understated emblem which reflects
his ancestors' roots. Famed for his public silence, he decided not to
have a motto. The Falklands conflict and a love of science are the
dominant features of Lady Thatcher's arms. Spurning the usual stags
and griffins, Lady Thatcher has selected as supporters an admiral to
represent the battle in the South Atlantic and Sir Isaac Newton in
recognition of her earlier career as a scientist.

The former Prime Minister's life at Westminster is depicted by a tower
and portcullis, while a double key - between the two lions of England
- represents the office of Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.
At the top is the coronet of a baron or baroness and, hanging below, is
the Order of Merit which Lady Thatcher received in 1990. Both coats of
arms were designed by Sir Colin Cole, former Garter King of Arms, in
1992. "Lady Thatcher had a clear, general idea of the sort of things she
wanted to 1. She chose the motto because it was short and appropriate,"
said Sir Colin. Sir Denis wanted to celebrate his family history rather
than his own achievements. Hence, there is the demi-Lion rampant holding
a set of thatcher's shears and two golden chevrons depicting roofs. A
circlet of New Zealand fern is in honour of his grandfather who settled
there around 1880. Obtaining a coat of arms is a long process which costs
L2,200 for an individual and L7,550 for a company.

Despite the advent of the classless society, the College of Arms reports
brisk business. Around 200 coats of arms are drawn up each year by the
college's 13 heralds who boast luxurious titles like Rouge Dragon Pursuivant
and Bluemantle. Lady Thatcher would approve of the college's anti-inflationary
wages scheme. "A herald gets L17.80 per annum from the Queen," said Chester
Herald, Mr Hubert Chesshyre. "We did get a 100 per cent pay rise in 1617 but
they reduced it again in 1831. We get part of the client's fee but it's not a
job you do for the money."

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